In 2017, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the CEO of INEOS and a car enthusiast and adventurer, identified a gap in the market for reliable off-road vehicles. Thus, they discussed the idea of building a vehicle from scratch at their favorite bar, The Grenadier, in London, which led to the establishment of INEOS Automotive Limited.
After five years of research and development and over 108 million kilometers of driving tests, INEOS launched their first Grenadier SUV, merging British design spirit with German engineering precision. Now, after a year of development, INEOS introduces its new Quartermaster, aimed at providing more options for off-road driving enthusiasts, significantly increasing the cargo space without compromising the vehicle's core performance, equipped with BMW engines and four-wheel drive systems, enabling it to tackle various challenging terrains effortlessly while retaining the manual shifting option for a more pure driving experience.
Exterior Design
This vehicle features a classic design with a distinct British style, characterized by its boxy shape and large windows, making the overall length of the vehicle 5440 cm, an increase of 50 cm over the conventional model, with a width of 1930 cm.
The front design is classic, featuring LED headlights and fog lights, a black-painted grille, robust steel front bumper, and a steel engine cover, with 35.5 cm approach angle, 22.6 cm departure angle, and 26.4 cm ground clearance.
The side lines evoke military vehicles, with wide windows for better visibility, easy-to-open doors, and optional side steps to assist passengers, as well as a multifunctional side mount option for attaching tables and other equipment widely used in Europe today.
The rear design echoes the overall style of the vehicle, with circular taillights and a steel rear bumper, a single rear door providing ample storage space, protected by a sturdy plastic layer to secure the load.
The vehicle offers 17 and 18-inch wheel options made of various steel or aluminum, with options for three-ply off-road tires or standard tires.
Interior Design
The interior mirrors the exterior design, equipped with off-road technologies and a touch of elegance and comfort, with front seats available in stitched fabric or leather, designed to embrace the driver. The dashboard features a small display screen showing systems operational in off-road mode, and the steering wheel is made of thick stitched leather, providing a premium feel.
The information display integrates the instrument cluster and navigation controls, with an additional off-road navigation system (Pathfinder) that can determine specific points and plot routes even without stored maps, displaying altitude, tilt, temperature, and coordinates. It also supports wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The climate control system features large, prominent buttons for easy operation, along with audio system control buttons. The central console includes a gear shift designed by BMW and mechanical dual-range shifters.
There are removable sunroofs with a control panel for the four-wheel drive systems, designed in a style reminiscent of military aircraft, enhancing the adventurous spirit, equipped with buttons for connecting towing systems and side lighting without needing to run any wires.
The seats are made from high-durability materials, providing spacious and comfortable seating, with high-durability, waterproof flooring to facilitate easy cleaning after adventures, manually controlled front seats with heating options.
Engine
The vehicle is available with two engine options sourced from BMW for strong performance and reliability.
The first engine is a 3-liter inline-six turbocharged gasoline engine, producing 281 horsepower and a high torque of 450 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, with a top speed limited to 160 km/h.
The second engine is a 3-liter inline-six twin-turbo diesel engine, producing 245 horsepower and a high torque of 550 Nm, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF.
Off-Road Features
The vehicle is specifically designed for off-road use, targeting adventure enthusiasts. The body is constructed from high-strength steel, featuring an advanced suspension system, with a wheelbase of 3227 cm, a 35.5-degree approach angle, a 22.6-degree departure angle, and a 26.4 cm ground clearance, making it one of the rare vehicles available for direct purchase with such capabilities, able to withstand water depths of up to 800 mm, further enhanced with an optional top air intake (snorkel).
It features an advanced four-wheel drive system with a central differential lock (standard), optional front and rear differential locks, as well as light and heavy dual-range systems, with a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tons.
A button allows the driver to disconnect all electronic systems, enabling the vehicle to operate on mechanical systems for complete control and a unique driving pleasure.
Off-Road Experience Trip
The vehicle shares the same technology and purpose as its sister model, Grenadier, designed as an off-road vehicle capable of navigating through mud, rocks, sand, and even snow, equipped with high-reliability gear and mechanical performance to provide a unique driving experience.
Our journey began in Dammam, then went to Dubai, and finally to Cape Town, where we spent our first night waiting for the rest of the group to join us in several countries. The next morning, we flew to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) airport, enjoying beautiful weather and seasonal rains, with temperatures ranging from 21 to 14 degrees Celsius.
The test vehicles had right-hand drive, which posed a challenge given the different driving direction and roundabouts. We headed into the African forests, driving for an hour before entering mountainous areas covered in dense foliage, known for its stunning natural beauty in the Baviaanskloof region.
Baviaanskloof
Baviaanskloof is part of the Cape Floristic Region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the most biologically diverse areas in South Africa. The Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve is the third-largest protected area in South Africa, with rugged and constantly changing terrain featuring subtropical forests, mountain fynbos, and typical karoo vegetation, including a rich collection of succulent plants.
Our drive lasted over four hours, weaving through city streets and paved mountain roads, then onto rocky and rugged mountain trails, created along ancient elephant paths, interspersed with waterways and glimpses of wildlife and birds inhabiting the reserve.
By 7:30 PM, we arrived at a camp set up for us on top of a mountain in the midst of dense forests, with no communication (mobile phones, internet, or radio), the only link to the outside world being a satellite phone. Each person was provided with a personal tent, complete with a small toilet area, which would be our living space for the next three days, free from civilization.
Cooking in the Wild
The company provided one of South Africa's most renowned chefs, Justin Bonello, known for his television show. All meals were prepared outdoors, following the BBQ style, enjoying the open air surrounded by nature, and tasting some local delicacies and new meats such as ostrich.
Temperatures ranged from 14 to 4 degrees Celsius in the early mornings, and despite the preparations, sleeping in the cold was a challenge. The following day, after a cold night, we set off again to test the vehicle in various terrains and locations, assessing its performance in this mountainous region, observing features such as wild bulls and herds of endangered rhinos, as well as monkeys and deer. After lunch, we had time to relax and enjoy activities such as river kayaking, fishing, and mountain biking, while in the evening, we gathered around a campfire to keep warm and enjoy the moonlit sky.
The next morning, we departed at around 7 AM as the sun rose, returning to Gqeberha airport, facing about four and a half hours of driving along the same route we had taken, encountering challenges such as oncoming traffic and tight passes, and even losing contact with our convoy for a few minutes. We finally reached the airport, flew to Cape Town, then to Dubai (10 hours flight), and back to Dammam, concluding one of the most beautiful trips and experiences I've ever had.
Overall Impression
My experience with the current version of the vehicle reaffirmed my previous impressions of its sister model, the Grenadier, as a vehicle that performs well on public roads and in urban settings, while being a beast on rough roads, dense forests, steep slopes, and slippery or waterlogged terrain. Despite the challenges faced during the experience, there were no rattles or noises coming from the vehicle, and nothing impeded our progress through these challenging terrains, which would be a clear challenge for many other vehicles.
The vehicle instills a sense of confidence that you can overcome any obstacle in your path, making it ideal for off-road enthusiasts looking for enjoyable adventures and hunting experiences, with a focus on a mechanical driving experience where the driver is in control, unlike modern cars that are often interfered with by electronics. At the same time, it offers comfort, safety, and modernity in urban driving, thanks to the powerful longitudinal engine from BMW, delivering smooth performance and a sporty engine sound.
Personally, I might consider one of these vehicles as a future option.
Advantages
1- Elegant classic design with a spacious cargo area.
2- Outstanding performance on off-road terrains without compromising on-road performance.
3- Enjoyable mechanical driving experience.
4- Multiple modern features.
5- Various customizable options to suit most tastes.
Prices
Prices are not yet fully confirmed, but they are expected to be similar to its sister model, Grenadier. You can visit the official website to view models and specifications, and receive the vehicle from the local dealer in Saudi Arabia (or specify the country where you want to receive the vehicle) and check prices and delivery times when the vehicle is officially available in the market.
– صالح الحيمود – South Africa
Senior Writer The quest for automotive knowledge began as soon as the earliest memories. Various sources information, even questionable ones, have been explored including video games, television, magazines, or even internet forums. Still stuck in that rabbit hole.
